Mathews honored with party as he leaves for second Iraqi tour
Who's News
Liliana Johse

It was party time honoring Sgt. Todd Mathews who is leaving home in Glen Flora to Camp Swift in Bastrop and leaves Texas on April 2. He returns for a second tour in Iraq. This is also the second party thrown for her grandson by his grandmother, Esther Mathews of Glen Flora. This time it was held at a popular Mexican restaurant, a delicious dinner served and great music played by the Chris Rybak. There were 115 invitations sent and 113 people came. Todd, with his wife Amberly by his side, had their three adorable children Toby, Kourtnee and Khloe. His mother is Shirley Johnson of Nursery, his father Harold Mathews Jr. and grandparents are Virginia and Eddie Balusek of Garwood, Esther Mathews and, in spirit, the late Harold Mathews. Although the weather was not so inviting, the room was filled to capacity. I can't name everyone there, but I can sure name a few: Roy and Della Wright, their daughters and son-in-law Carol and Travis Miller of Houston; Sherri Welch; Lillie Horelica; Joe Ray and Diana Joines; Daniel and Isabel Lopez; Verlie and Helen Sherril; Trish Winkles King and husband Joseph, he is the new chairman of the Wharton County Democratic Party taking over Benavidez's job. Good luck Joe!

Other guests were Betty Parr Muegge, Betty McCrohan, Patsy Rawlin- son, John Northington, Le- Roy and Joyce Rybak, parents of Chris Rybak and his wife

Edita Rybak who came from Hallettsville. LeRoy and Edita sang a few songs accompanied by Chris to everybody's delight. With many songs LeRoy gave credit to Bobby Jones. It was very nice of him. LeRoy has an orchestra called LeRoy's Swinging Orchestra. Chris plays with him whenever he is free from his own bookings. Esther had plenty of homemade desserts. The musical entertainment lasted throughout the party with sing-a-longs and lots of fun. Everybody had a great time. Keep Todd and his family in your prayers for a safe journey and a safe return trip home.

I also had a nice visit with Chris Rybak. The last time we saw him was at Todd's first party in Glen Flora. A lot has happened since then. Edita, his wife, said they have been married now seven years. I remember she didn't speak much English then, but how that has changed, she speaks better than I do. They have gone to Europe more than once and are getting ready to guide a tour next July. Chris is playing the newest and most amazing accordion. It is a Roland and beautiful to look at and more beautiful to listen to. It is a digital accordion that makes different sounds like guitar, trumpet, piano and more with the touch of a button. If you play a musical instrument you would appreciate it. He is going to Dallas next month for an international accordion festival. Chris has been demonstrating this instrument all over the U.S., California, Branson, Mo., Washington, D.C., etc. Tomorrow Chris will be in Sweet Home Hall from 2 to 6 p.m. March 2 he will be in the Austin Hermann Sons from 4 to 8 p.m. He sings in Czech, English and Spanish and the mariachi sounds are very real when he plays them. Best of luck to the young couple and to Joyce and LeRoy.

Driving home I heard on the radio a voting ad which is also on television. It was produced by SCreamer Company of Austin, the advertising agency that was created by Scott Creamer, son of our Wharton friends Grace and Robert Creamer. His agency has won two Addys, which is like winning an Emmy Award for television, for the advertising industry in the Austin area. We congratulate him and to his proud parents.

The 100 Club's annual membership night at El Campo Civic Center was the highest attended meeting in many years. A delicious dinner was prepared and served by the Wharton County Sheriff's Department. Speaker was Josh McCown. Amanda Hurst, wife of slain game warden

Justin Hurst gave a heartfelt thank you for the support and friendship given to her by the 100 Club.

Some of the guests attending from Wharton were: Margaret Scheller, Billye Barker, Sue Hall, Tom and Don Carlson, Jeanne Merka, Mike Merka, Doris Huddleston, Jan Ondrias, Peggy and Billy Watkins, Trey Maffett, Billie Jones and Richard Arnold. Plaques to honor the five slain officers from Wharton County were on display. Currently a memorial is being built at the Sheriff's Department in Wharton. Next event for the 100 Club will be the annual Spaghetti Cook-off.

What's going on in Wharton? We see a lot of activity at Dollar General, they have started moving to their new building on Alabama.

Our friend Tim Barker, who we see walking early in the morning followed by his wife Pam, is nursing a foot which recently had surgery. Pat Keaton is a hospital patient.

Happy birthday to Josie Huddlestone. "Nanny Doris" and children had an early celebration for her. Josie is the daughter of Johnathon and Becky Huddleston of Hungerford.

The very first Texas Cardinal,

Daniel DiNardo will be doing the Confirmation to the 12 Hungerford confirmation candidates and four from Beasley. This will be on Monday, March 3, at 7 p.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Beasley. There will be a catered supper after the ceremony.

St. John's KJT and KJZT annual barbecue chicken and sausage dinner is Sunday, March 2, at Hungerford Hall. Serving starts at 10:30 a.m. There is an auction and dance. Pastries and items are needed for the auction. Raffle tickets are being sold. A dance will last until 5 p.m.

It's Leap Year there's an extra day this month to compensate for the difference between a calendar year and the actual time it takes earth to travel around the sun. This usually happens every four years. The longest time between two leap years is eight years.

Birthday wishes to Matt Feyen, Mike Wootton, Travis Cotton, Regena Bass, Susan Story, Craig Taylor, Louise Hunt, Sherrell Speer, Tylea Medders, Robbie Hamilton, Jerry Humberson, Carolyn Pavlicek, Hollis Yackel, Terry Powell, Bob Ziegenhals, John Harrison and Daphene Webster.

KCs having birthdays are Gary Hlavinka, Rodolfo Gonzales, Sean Amestoy and Anton Peter Jr.

Karen Jalowy Lee was given a surprise birthday party on her 40th birthday. It was given at the home of her parents Dr. James and Henriette Jalowy of East Bernard. Congratulations!

Happy birthday to our son Maxyves Elie Verzele who is celebrating a birthday today in Clyde. Our daughter Brigitte Odile Verzele celebrates a birthday on Sunday in Managua, Nicaragua.

Dr. Bobby and Brenda Ogdee celebrated another wedding anniversary last month in Abilene, where they now reside.

More birthdays this week: Dorothy Ziober, Linda Svatek, Sybil Kacer, Paige Mata, Zoey Zahn, Amanda Hinze, Wilfred Hubenak, Linda Treumer, Madison Cline, Blake Folmar, Joe Rhodes, Sheila Hinze, Ryan McMicken, Sophie Roberts, Ernest Chudalla, Kelley Rainbolt, Roy Sparks, Wade Mathis, Ruiel Taylor Jr. and Sandra Kachmar. Best anniversary wishes to Freddie and Pat Pekar, Todd and Edy Menefee, Nat and Donna Galloway, Richard and Cindi Ondrias, Gary and Carol Koenig, Nathasha and John Brun, Annette and Dr. Bob Caraway, Carol and Wayne Milberger, Corbin and Jessica Mozisek, Steven and Kim Rolf, Sandra and Bob Kallas and Pat and L.D. Gassett.

Last Thursday we enjoyed a delicious chili supper at the beautiful home of Dick and Beatrice Watson in the Pyssen addition. Hours went past without us even noticing. The other guest was Mary Ann Erdelt who has been a long time friend from the time I worked at the clinic where she is still working as the nurse for Dr. Mang. Mary Ann has a great sense of humor and we have many stories to laugh about. Her husband Charles, was unable to make it.

Beatrice is a transplanted Texan. She is originally from Germany where Dick met her when he worked for Texas Instruments. She has that charming accent but our accents get along real well.

Have a wonderful weekend. "You have to believe in happiness or happiness never comes."